Method for manufacturing adsorber, and adsorber

Abstract

To provide an adsorber in which joining connection between a heat transfer surface and an adsorbent is improved to improve heat output.SOLUTION: A method for manufacturing an adsorber comprises a first coating process in which a first adsorbent containing a binder is applied to an outer surface of a heat transfer pipe, a second coating process in which a second adsorbent is applied to a surface of the first adsorbent, and a heating process in which hot water is passed through the inside of the heat transfer pipe to heat the binder.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an adsorber and an adsorber. [Background technology]

[0002] Adsorbers used in adsorption heat pumps and the like are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4). Patent Documents 1 to 3 describe adsorbers in which multiple adsorbent layers are formed on the surface of the heat transfer surface. The adsorbent in each layer is composed of multiple linear members arranged in parallel. The linear members in each layer are stacked with their extension directions perpendicular to each other. Patent Document 4 describes adhesive placed between the heat exchange fins and the adsorbent to bond them together. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-166974 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-152438 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-1626 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-189459 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the adsorber with multiple layers of adsorbent material described in Patent Documents 1-3, the adsorbent material in the layer in contact with the heat transfer surface is less likely to dry than the adsorbent material in the other layers. Therefore, if cracks or other defects occur in a layer away from the heat transfer surface, the adsorbent material in the layer in contact with the heat transfer surface that is not dry may float from the heat transfer surface due to the contraction of the other layers during adsorption, which may increase the thermal resistance of the adsorber. In the adsorber described in Patent Document 1, fibers are incorporated into the material forming the adsorbent to prevent the adsorbent from floating from the heat transfer surface. However, the shape of the adsorbent material with the incorporated fibers changes due to its own contraction, which may cause it to float from the heat transfer surface. If the adsorbent material floats from the heat transfer surface, the thermal resistance between the heat transfer surface and the adsorbent increases, which may reduce the thermal output of the adsorber.

[0005] In the adsorber described in Patent Document 4, the heat exchange fins and the adsorbent are bonded to each other with an adhesive, thereby increasing the bonding strength between the heat exchange fins and the adsorbent. However, manufacturing the adsorber requires a step of applying the adhesive, which may increase the manufacturing cost of the adsorber.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve at least some of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an adsorber with improved bonding strength between the heat transfer surface and the adsorbent and improved thermal output. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve at least part of the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized in the following forms.

[0008] (1) According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing an adsorber, which includes a first coating step of coating an outer surface of a heat transfer tube with a first adsorbent material containing a binder, a second coating step of coating the surface of the first adsorbent with a second adsorbent, and a heating step of flowing hot water inside the heat transfer tube to heat the binder.

[0009] According to this configuration, in a heating step after the first adsorbent and the second adsorbent are applied to the outer surface of the heat transfer tube, hot water is flowed through the heat transfer tube. Heating by the hot water through the heat transfer tube gels the binder contained in the first adsorbent applied to the outer surface of the heat transfer tube. When the binder is heated and dried in a gelled state, deformation of the first adsorbent due to shrinkage is suppressed, unlike natural drying. This improves the interfacial bonding strength between the outer surface of the heat transfer tube and the first adsorbent, making it less likely for the heat transfer tube and the first adsorbent to peel off after manufacturing. As a result, an increase in thermal resistance between the heat transfer tube and the first adsorbent is suppressed, and the thermal output of the manufactured adsorber is improved. Furthermore, because the first adsorbent is present between the heat transfer tube and the second adsorbent, the second adsorbent is not sufficiently heated by the hot water and shrinks during natural drying. The shrinkage increases the gaps between adjacent linear second adsorbent segments, making it easier for the vapor to be adsorbed to enter during adsorption. That is, unlike the first adsorbent, the second adsorbent is manufactured in a shape that easily shrinks along the diameter of the heat transfer tube. As a result, processes such as applying an adhesive are not required, reducing manufacturing costs, and the bonding strength between the heat transfer tube and the first adsorbent is improved. Furthermore, the adsorption capacity of the second adsorbent is improved, resulting in improved thermal output of the manufactured adsorber.

[0010] (2) In the manufacturing method of the above aspect, the binder may contain 50 wt % or more of methyl cellulose or hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and the heating step may involve heating at 70° C. for 10 minutes to 60 minutes. According to this configuration, the methyl cellulose or hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose contained in the binder exhibits a property known as thermoreversible gelation, which gels when heated and returns to its original state when cooled. Therefore, in the heating process, the methyl cellulose or hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose begins to gel when heated to its gelation temperature of 70°C. After the heating process, the methyl cellulose or hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose returns to its original state. Furthermore, because the upper limit of the heating time is 60 minutes, the second adsorbent is not heated sufficiently, and the second adsorbent shrinks due to natural drying. This improves the bonding strength between the first adsorbent containing the binder and the heat transfer tube, and the second adsorbent shrinks primarily due to natural drying.

[0011] (3) In the manufacturing method of the above aspect, in the first coating process, the linear first adsorbent material may be coated spirally along the circumferential direction, with adjacent linear first adsorbents in contact with each other, and in the second coating process, the linear second adsorbent material may be coated spirally along the circumferential direction, with adjacent linear second adsorbents spaced apart from each other. According to this configuration, in the first and second coating processes, the linear first and second adsorbents are formed in a spiral shape along the circumferential direction of the heat transfer tube. Therefore, the first and second adsorbents can be easily coated on the outer surface of the heat transfer tube using a 3D printer or the like. Adjacent linear first adsorbents are in contact with each other without any gaps, improving the bonding strength between the first adsorbent and the heat transfer tube. Meanwhile, adjacent second adsorbents are spaced apart to form gaps, allowing the adsorber to adsorb a greater number of adsorption targets.

[0012] (4) According to another aspect of the present invention, an adsorber is provided, the adsorber comprising: a heat transfer tube; a first adsorbent joined to and covering an outer surface of the heat transfer tube; and a linear second adsorbent disposed on the surface of the first adsorbent and wound around the heat transfer tube, wherein adjacent portions of the second adsorbent are spaced apart in the axial direction of the heat transfer tube. With this configuration, the first adsorbent is bonded to the outer surface of the heat transfer tube, thereby reducing the thermal resistance between the heat transfer tube and the first adsorbent. Meanwhile, the linear second adsorbent arranged on the surface of the first adsorbent is spaced apart from adjacent portions. Therefore, the vapor to be adsorbed during adsorption can easily enter the gaps formed by the adjacent linear second adsorbents. As a result, the bonding strength between the heat transfer tube and the first adsorbent is improved, reducing the thermal resistance between the heat transfer tube and the first adsorbent, and improving the thermal output of the adsorber with this configuration.

[0013] (5) In the adsorber of the above aspect, the first adsorbent may be a linear member spirally wound around the circumferential direction, with adjacent portions in contact with each other in the axial direction, and the second adsorbent may be spirally wound around the circumferential direction. With this configuration, the linear first adsorbent and second adsorbent are spirally wound around the heat transfer tube in the circumferential direction, which allows the first adsorbent and second adsorbent to be easily formed on the outer surface of the heat transfer tube. Furthermore, the linear first adsorbent wound around the circumferential direction in the spiral is in contact with each other in the axial direction with no gaps between them, which improves the bonding strength between the outer surface of the heat transfer tube and the first adsorbent 3.

[0014] The present invention can be realized in various forms, such as an adsorber, an adsorption heat pump, a method for manufacturing an adsorption heat pump, a system including these devices, a computer program for executing these devices, a server device for distributing this computer program, and a non-transitory storage medium on which the computer program is stored. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic front view of an adsorber according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an adsorber. [Figure 3] 3 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing an adsorber according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the copper tube and the first adsorbent after the first coating step. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram during a heating process. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the average thermal output of the adsorber of the example and the adsorber of the comparative example. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the adsorbent is peeled off in an example and a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] <Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an adsorber 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the adsorber 10. The adsorber 10 of this embodiment includes a cylindrical copper tube (heat transfer tube) 1 and an adsorbent 2 covering the outer surface 1S of the copper tube 1. The copper tube 1 is made of copper and functions as a heat transfer member. The adsorbent 2 includes a first adsorbent 3 covering the outer surface 1S of the copper tube 1 and a second adsorbent 4 disposed on the surface of the first adsorbent 3. The first adsorbent 3 and the second adsorbent 4 are made of a material containing silica gel. The first adsorbent 3 is joined to the outer surface 1S of the copper tube 1 and covers the outer surface 1S. The first adsorbent 3 is formed of a linear member spirally wound around the circumferential direction of the copper tube 1. Adjacent portions of the linear members forming the first adsorbent 3 are in contact with each other in the axial direction of the copper tube 1. Therefore, the first adsorbent 3 has a cylindrical shape.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second adsorbent 4 is a linear member disposed on the surface of the first adsorbent 3 and wound around the copper tube 1 and the first adsorbent 3. Adjacent portions of the second adsorbent 4 are spaced apart along the central axis OL1 of the copper tube 1. The second adsorbent 4 is spirally wound around the circumferential direction of the copper tube 1. As shown in FIG. 1, adjacent linear members 4a, 4b that are part of the second adsorbent 4 are arranged spaced apart by a distance ΔL in the direction along the central axis OL1. In this embodiment, the stacking direction of the first adsorbent 3 and the second adsorbent 4 is the radial direction in a cross section along the central axis OL1.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing the adsorber 10 of this embodiment. In the manufacturing flow shown in FIG. 3, first, a material for the adsorbent 2 is prepared (step S1). The first adsorbent 3 and the second adsorbent 4 of this embodiment are manufactured from the same material. As the material of this embodiment, a slurry-like material is manufactured by mixing and kneading silica gel that adsorbs water vapor, a heat transfer aid (e.g., graphite), a fibrous material (e.g., glass fiber), and a binder with water. The compounding ratio of the slurry-like material is 5 parts silica gel, 4 parts heat transfer aid, 0.5 parts fibrous material, and 0.5 parts binder. The main component of the binder used in this embodiment is methylcellulose. The main component refers to a component that accounts for 50 wt% or more of the binder.

[0019] Next, a first coating step is performed (step S2) in which a first adsorbent 3 containing a binder is coated onto the outer surface 1S of the cylindrical copper pipe 1. In the first coating step, linear first adsorbent 3 material is ejected from a nozzle of a 3D printer, and is coated spirally onto the outer surface 1S along the circumferential direction of the copper pipe 1. The linear first adsorbent 3 material is coated so that adjacent portions are in contact with each other.

[0020] Fig. 4 is a schematic front view of the copper tube 1 and the first adsorbent 3 after the first coating step. As shown in Fig. 4, the first adsorbent 3 is spirally applied to the outer surface 1S of the copper tube 1 so as to avoid forming gaps ΔL, unlike the second adsorbent 4 shown in Fig. 1.

[0021] After the first coating step in Fig. 3, a second coating step is performed in which the second adsorbent 4 is coated onto the surface of the first adsorbent 3 (step S3). In the second coating step, similar to the first coating step, the linear material of the second adsorbent 4 is injected from the nozzle of a 3D printer onto the surface of the first adsorbent 3 coated on the outer surface 1S of the copper pipe 1, thereby coating the surface in a spiral shape along the circumferential direction of the copper pipe 1. After the second coating step, the copper pipe 1, the first adsorbent 3, and the second adsorbent 4 are in the state shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The linear second adsorbent 4 is coated onto the surface of the first adsorbent 3 so that adjacent portions (e.g., linear member 4a and linear member 4b) are spaced apart in the direction along the central axis OL1.

[0022] After the second coating step in FIG. 3, a heating step is performed in which the first adsorbent 3 and the second adsorbent 4 are heated and dried (step S4). FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of the heating step. FIG. 5 shows a constant-temperature water bath 22, a pair of attachments 23, and a tube 24 used to flow hot water through the copper tube 1 of the adsorber 10 during the heating step. The constant-temperature water bath 22 is heated by a heater (not shown) so that the water in the constant-temperature water bath 22 reaches a gelling temperature. The pair of attachments 23 secure both ends of the copper tube 1 to the tube 24. The tube 24 forms a flow path through which hot water circulates between the constant-temperature water bath 22 and the copper tube 1. The hot water circulates between the constant-temperature water bath 22, the tube 24, and the copper tube 1 by a pump (not shown).

[0023] 5, hot water is flowed through the copper tube 1, and the first adsorbent 3 is heated along the copper tube 1. The gelation temperature of the first adsorbent 3 and the second adsorbent 4, which contain a binder mainly composed of methyl cellulose and are used in this embodiment, is approximately 70 to 80 degrees Celsius (°C). In the heating step, hot water is supplied into the copper tube 1 for a period of 10 to 60 minutes.

[0024] The time for which the hot water is supplied, i.e., the heating time, is limited to 10 minutes or more and 60 minutes or less. Therefore, the first adsorbent 3, which is directly applied to the outer surface 1S of the copper tube 1, gels during the heating process. On the other hand, because the heat of the hot water is transferred to the second adsorbent 4 via the first adsorbent 3, the temperature rise of the second adsorbent 4 is slower than the temperature rise of the first adsorbent 3. In this embodiment, because the heating time is limited, the second adsorbent 4 is not heated to the gelling temperature of the binder, and most of the second adsorbent 4 dries by natural drying. When the heating process is completed, the manufacture of the adsorber 10 is complete.

[0025] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the average thermal output of an adsorber 10 of the example and an adsorber of the comparative example. FIG. 6 shows the average thermal output of an adsorber 10 of the example, manufactured according to the manufacturing flow shown in FIG. 3, and an adsorber of the comparative example, manufactured by a method different from the manufacturing flow shown in FIG. 3. The copper tube 1, first adsorbent 3, and second adsorbent 4 in the example and the comparative example have the same shape and material. The measured adsorber 10 has four layers of second adsorbent 4 stacked on top of the first adsorbent 3, for a total of five layers stacked on the outer surface 1S of the copper tube 1. The heating time in the heating step of the example was 60 minutes. In the heating step of the comparative example, the first adsorbent 3 and the second adsorbent 4 were dried by natural drying, rather than by heating with hot water as shown in FIG. 5.

[0026] The average thermal output shown on the vertical axis of FIG. 6 is the average value of the thermal output when the adsorbers of the Example and Comparative Example were attached to an evaluation device, water vapor was supplied from an evaporator at 15°C, and cooling water at 35°C was supplied into the copper tube 1. The thermal output value was measured from the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet of the cooling water generated by the heat of adsorption during water vapor adsorption. The average thermal output is the average value of the thermal output over 150 seconds from the start of adsorption in the adsorber. As shown in FIG. 6, if the average thermal output of the Example is taken as 100%, the average thermal output of the Comparative Example was 88.5%. In other words, the average thermal output of the Comparative Example was 11.5% lower than the average thermal output of the Example.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the adsorbent 2 has peeled off in the Example and Comparative Example. FIG. 7 shows the state in which the manufactured adsorber of the Example and Comparative Example has been twisted to peel off the first adsorbent 3 and the second adsorbent 4 from the copper tube 1. As shown in FIG. 7, in the Example, a portion of the first adsorbent 3 laminated on the outer surface 1S of the copper tube 1 remains bonded to the outer surface 1S of the copper tube 1. On the other hand, in the Comparative Example, the first adsorbent 3 has completely peeled off from the outer surface 1S of the copper tube 1, along with the second adsorbent 4. The results shown in FIG. 7 indicate that the bonding strength between the first adsorbent 3 and the copper tube 1 in the Example is higher than that in the Comparative Example.

[0028] As described above, in the manufacturing flow of this embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , a first coating step is performed in which a first adsorbent 3 containing a binder is applied to the outer surface 1S of a cylindrical copper tube 1. This is followed by a second coating step in which a second adsorbent 4 is applied to the surface of the first adsorbent 3. A heating step is performed in which the first adsorbent 3 and the second adsorbent 4 are heated and dried. In this embodiment, in the heating step after the first adsorbent 3 and the second adsorbent 4 are applied to the outer surface 1S of the copper tube 1, hot water is flowed into the copper tube 1. Heating with hot water through the copper tube 1 gels the binder contained in the first adsorbent 3 applied to the outer surface 1S of the copper tube 1. Heating and drying in a gelled state of the binder suppresses deformation of the first adsorbent 3 due to shrinkage, unlike natural drying. This improves the interfacial bonding strength between the outer surface 1S of the copper tube 1 and the first adsorbent 3, making it less likely for the copper tube 1 and the first adsorbent 3 to peel off after manufacturing. As a result, an increase in the thermal resistance between the copper tube 1 and the first adsorbent 3 is suppressed, and the thermal output of the manufactured adsorber 10 is improved. Furthermore, because the first adsorbent 3 is located between the copper tube 1 and the second adsorbent 4, the second adsorbent 4 is not sufficiently heated by hot water and shrinks due to natural drying. This shrinkage increases the gaps between adjacent linear second adsorbents 4, making it easier for the vapor to enter during adsorption. In other words, unlike the first adsorbent 3, the second adsorbent 4 is manufactured with a shape that easily shrinks along the diameter of the copper tube 1. This eliminates the need for processes such as applying an adhesive, reducing manufacturing costs, and improving the bonding strength between the copper tube 1 and the first adsorbent 3. Furthermore, the adsorption capacity of the second adsorbent 4 is improved, resulting in improved thermal output of the manufactured adsorber 10.

[0029] In the manufacturing flow of this embodiment, a binder containing methyl cellulose as its main component is used as the binder contained in the first adsorbent 3. In the heating step, hot water is supplied into the copper pipe 1 for a period of 10 to 60 minutes. In this embodiment, the methyl cellulose contained in the binder exhibits a property called thermoreversible gelation, which means that it gels when heated and returns to its original state when cooled. Therefore, in the heating step, the methyl cellulose begins to gel when heated to its gelation temperature of 70°C. After the heating step, the methyl cellulose returns to its original state. Furthermore, because the upper limit of the heating time is 60 minutes, the second adsorbent 4 is not heated sufficiently, and the second adsorbent 4 shrinks due to natural drying. This improves the bonding strength between the first adsorbent 3 containing the binder and the copper pipe 1, and the second adsorbent 4 shrinks mainly due to natural drying.

[0030] In the first coating step of the manufacturing flow of this embodiment, the linear first adsorbent 3 material is applied spirally to the outer surface 1S of the copper pipe 1 along the circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the linear first adsorbent 3 material is applied so that adjacent portions are in contact with each other. In the second coating step, the linear second adsorbent 4 material is applied spirally to the copper pipe 1 along the circumferential direction. After the second coating step, the linear second adsorbent 4 is applied to the surface of the first adsorbent 3 so that adjacent portions are spaced apart in the direction along the central axis OL1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this embodiment, in the first and second coating steps, the linear first adsorbent 3 and second adsorbent 4 are formed spirally along the circumferential direction of the copper pipe 1. Therefore, the first adsorbent 3 and second adsorbent 4 can be easily applied to the outer surface 1S of the copper pipe 1 using a 3D printer or the like. Adjacent linear first adsorbents 3 are in contact with each other without any gaps, which improves the bonding strength between the first adsorbents 3 and the copper pipe 1. On the other hand, adjacent second adsorbents 4 are spaced apart to form gaps, which allows the adsorber 10 to adsorb more adsorption targets.

[0031] The adsorber 10 of this embodiment includes a copper tube 1, a first adsorbent 3 covering the outer surface 1S of the copper tube 1, and a second adsorbent 4 disposed on the surface of the first adsorbent 3. The second adsorbent 4 is a linear member wound around the copper tube 1. Adjacent portions of the second adsorbent 4 are spaced apart along the central axis OL1 of the copper tube 1. In this embodiment, the first adsorbent 3 is bonded to the outer surface 1S of the copper tube 1, thereby reducing the thermal resistance between the copper tube 1 and the first adsorbent 3. Meanwhile, the linear second adsorbents 4 disposed on the surface of the first adsorbent 3 are spaced apart from each other. Therefore, the vapor to be adsorbed during adsorption can easily enter the gaps formed by the adjacent linear second adsorbents 4. As a result, the bonding strength between the copper tube 1 and the first adsorbent 3 is improved, reducing the thermal resistance between the copper tube 1 and the first adsorbent 3, and improving the thermal output of the adsorber 10 of this embodiment.

[0032] Furthermore, the first adsorbent 3 of this embodiment is formed of a linear member spirally wound around the circumferential direction of the copper tube 1. The linear member forming the first adsorbent 3 is in contact with adjacent portions in the axial direction of the copper tube 1. The second adsorbent 4 is spirally wound around the circumferential direction of the copper tube 1. In this embodiment, the linear first adsorbent 3 and second adsorbent 4 are spirally wound around the circumferential direction of the copper tube 1, so that the first adsorbent 3 and second adsorbent 4 are easily formed on the outer surface 1S of the copper tube 1. Furthermore, the linear first adsorbent 3 spirally wound around the circumferential direction is in contact with adjacent portions along the central axis OL1 without any gaps, improving the bonding strength between the outer surface 1s of the copper tube 1 and the first adsorbent 3.

[0033] <Modifications of the embodiment> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention, including, for example, the following modifications: In the above-described embodiment, part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced by software, and conversely, part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced by hardware.

[0034] <Variation 1> The adsorber 10 and the manufacturing method of the adsorber 10 in the above embodiment are merely examples and can be modified. For example, the copper tube 1 serving as a heat transfer tube has a cylindrical shape, but may have a hollow columnar shape. The heat transfer tube preferably has a shape that allows hot water to flow through it during the heating process. The material forming the copper tube 1 serving as a heat transfer tube is copper, but may be other than copper, and a material with high thermal conductivity is preferred.

[0035] In the manufacturing method of the adsorber 10, the first adsorbent 3 and the second adsorbent 4 are formed from the same material. However, the materials of the first adsorbent 3 and the second adsorbent 4 can be modified as long as the first adsorbent 3 is formed from a material containing a gelling binder. For example, the material of the first adsorbent 3 may contain a binder, while the material of the second adsorbent 4 may not contain a binder. The first adsorbent 3 and the second adsorbent 4 may contain activated carbon or zeolite instead of silica gel as a material that adsorbs water vapor. The first adsorbent 3 only needs to contain a material that adsorbs water vapor and a binder, and may contain either or both of a heat transfer aid and a fibrous material. The second adsorbent 4 is composed only of a material that adsorbs water vapor, and may contain none of a heat transfer aid, a fibrous material, or a binder, or may contain some of them. The fibrous material may be inorganic fibers such as metal fibers, glass fibers, or carbon fibers, or mineral fibers such as asbestos.

[0036] The binder contained in the first adsorbent 3 may contain a gellable component other than methylcellulose. The primary component of the binder contained in the first adsorbent 3 is preferably methylcellulose or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. The temperature of the hot water flowing through the copper tube 1 during the heating step and the heating time during the heating step may be determined appropriately depending on the type of binder, the gelation temperature of the binder, the thickness of the first adsorbent 3 and the second adsorbent 4, and other factors. The heating time during the heating step may be less than 10 minutes or more than 60 minutes. When the second adsorbent 4 contains a binder, the heating temperature and heating time during the heating step are preferably such that the first adsorbent 3 gels but most of the material of the second adsorbent 4 does not gel. When methylcellulose or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose is used as the binder, the time for which hot water flows through the copper tube 1 during the heating step is preferably 10 minutes or more and 60 minutes or less. In this case, the temperature of the hot water is preferably 70°C, the same as the gelation temperature. The temperature of the hot water is preferably equal to or higher than the gelling temperature, but not too high, as it is sufficient to gel the first adsorbent 3. For example, the temperature of the hot water may be equal to or higher than the gelling temperature and equal to or lower than the gelling temperature plus 5°C.

[0037] In the first and second coating steps of the manufacturing method of the adsorber 10, the materials of the first adsorbent 3 and the second adsorbent 4 were applied to the outer surface 1S of the copper tube 1 in a spiral pattern along the circumferential direction using a 3D printer. However, any known technique can be used to apply the first adsorbent 3 and the second adsorbent 4 to the copper tube 1. The first adsorbent 3 and the second adsorbent 4 do not have to be applied as linear materials along the circumferential direction; for example, they may be applied so that multiple sheet-like members are joined together. Note that the second adsorbent 4 is preferably arranged so that there are large gaps between them.

[0038] This aspect has been described above based on embodiments and modifications. However, the above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of this aspect and are not intended to limit this aspect. This aspect may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and equivalents thereof are included in this aspect. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it may be deleted as appropriate.

[0039] The present invention can also be realized in the following forms. [Application example 1] A method for manufacturing an adsorber, comprising: a first coating step of coating an outer surface of the heat transfer tube with a first adsorbent containing a binder; a second coating step of coating a second adsorbent on the surface of the first adsorbent; a heating step of heating the binder by flowing hot water through the heat transfer tube; A manufacturing method. [Application example 2] The manufacturing method according to Application Example 1, The binder contains 50 wt % or more of methyl cellulose or hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, The heating step comprises heating at 70 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes to 60 minutes. [Application example 3] The manufacturing method according to Application Example 1 or Application Example 2, In the first coating step, the linear first adsorbent is coated spirally along a circumferential direction, and adjacent linear first adsorbents are in contact with each other; In the second coating step, the linear second adsorbent material is coated spirally along the circumferential direction, and adjacent linear second adsorbent materials are spaced apart from each other. [Application example 4] An adsorber comprising: A heat transfer tube; a first adsorbent joined to an outer surface of the heat transfer tube and covering the outer surface; a linear second adsorbent disposed on a surface of the first adsorbent and wound around the heat transfer tube, wherein adjacent portions of the second adsorbent are spaced apart in the axial direction of the heat transfer tube; An adsorber comprising: [Application example 5] The adsorber according to Application Example 4, the first adsorbent is a linear member wound spirally along the circumferential direction, and adjacent portions thereof are in contact with each other in the axial direction; The adsorber, wherein the second adsorbent is wound spirally along the circumferential direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1...Copper pipe (heat transfer pipe) 1S…Outer surface 2...Adsorbent 3...First adsorbent 4…Second adsorbent 4a, 4b...Linear members 10…Adsorber 22...Constant temperature water bath 23...Attachment 24...Tube OL1…Center axis ΔL…interval

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an adsorber, comprising: a first coating step of coating an outer surface of the heat transfer tube with a first adsorbent containing a binder; a second coating step of coating a second adsorbent on the surface of the first adsorbent; a heating step of heating the binder by flowing hot water through the heat transfer tube; A manufacturing method.

2. The method of claim 1, The binder contains 50 wt % or more of methyl cellulose or hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, In the heating step, the heating is performed at 70°C for 10 minutes to 60 minutes.

3. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or claim 2, In the first coating step, the linear first adsorbent is coated spirally along a circumferential direction, and adjacent linear first adsorbents are in contact with each other; In the second coating step, the linear second adsorbent material is coated spirally along the circumferential direction, and adjacent linear second adsorbent materials are spaced apart from each other.

4. An adsorber comprising: A heat transfer tube; a first adsorbent joined to an outer surface of the heat transfer tube and covering the outer surface; a linear second adsorbent disposed on a surface of the first adsorbent and wound around the heat transfer tube, wherein adjacent portions of the second adsorbent are spaced apart in the axial direction of the heat transfer tube; An adsorber comprising:

5. The adsorber according to claim 4, the first adsorbent is a linear member wound spirally along a circumferential direction, and adjacent portions thereof are in contact with each other in the axial direction; The adsorber, wherein the second adsorbent is wound spirally along a circumferential direction.

Images